With a federal election scheduled for Oct. 14, Magazines Canada has sent letters to every member of Parliament in the country, detailing "Canada Post's actions to undercut the PAP [Publications Assistance Program] and render Canadian magazines unaffordable." This, of course, refers to Canada Post's decision to withdraw its $15 million to PAP next year and to implement distance related pricing. The letter also includes the number of magazine subscribers in each constituency.

“If Canada Post is permitted to implement these changes, readers of Canadian magazines in your constituency will be affected. Canadian magazines will see a 40 per cent increase in postage costs. The cost of magazine subscriptions will increase, foreign magazines will be advantaged over Canadian ones and some magazines will no longer be available at all.”

The letter also asks MPs to say whether or not they would do the following if re-elected.

• Ensure that Canada Post maintains its contribution to the PAP program?
• Stop Canada Post from implementing Distance Related Pricing, at least until the strategic review of Canada Post’s mandate is complete.

Magazines Canada plans to make the responses known to its members.